Safety ski boot toe fixture

ABSTRACT

A safety ski boot toe fixture comprises a base, a turning member, a toe-fitting member and a spring or other means for pressing the turning member to the base under compression. The turning member, such as a disc, has a semicircular hole, a circumferential projection comprising steep slopes at both sides of the semicircular hole and flat portions in succession with the steep slopes. A vertical pin is fixed at the center portion of the turning disc which is turnably fixed to the base and is connected to the toe-fitting member by the vertical pin. The toefitting member, having a deep slot at its fore portion, is positioned on a second vertical pin provided at the fore portion of the base. A first spring is provided under compression between the two vertical pins. A ball above the semicircular hole is held under compression and will never be displaced up to the flat portion of the circumferential projections unless unreasonable side force is applied to the toe, while the ball once coming to the flat portion, will easily be displaced to disengage the toe. In the disengaging position the first spring contributes to turn back the toe-fitting member to the toe engaging position by its increased pressure.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Noriyasu Hashioka;

Kesao Shinohara, Tokyo, Japan [21] Appl. No. 841,784 [22] Filed July 15, 1969 [4S] Patented Feb. 9, 1971 [73] Assignee Hope Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo, Japan a corporate body of Japan [32] Priority July 31, 1968 [33] Japan [31] 43-66111,43 66112, 43-66113, 43-66114 and 43-66115 [54] SAFETY SK] BOOT TOE FIXTURE 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 280/11.35 [5 l Int. Cl A63c 9/00 [50] Field of Search 280/] 1.35

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,027,173 3/1962 Beyl 280/11.35 3,197,221 7/1965 Gembruch, Jr., et al 280/1 1.35 3,272,523 9/1966 Marker 280/1 1.35 3,333,858 8/1967 Poiger 2230/! 1.35

Primary Examiner-Leo Friaglia Assistant ExaminerRobert R. Song Attorney-Eliot Sv Gerber ABSTRACT: A safety ski boot toe fixture comprises a base, a turning member, a toe-fitting member and a spring or other means for pressing the turning member to the base under compression. The turning member, such as a disc, has a semicircular hole, a circumferential projection comprising steep slopes at both sides of the semicircular hole and flat portions in succession with the steep slopes. A vertical pin is fixed at the center portion of the turning disc which is turnably fixed to the base and is connected to the toe-fitting member by the vertical pin. The toe-fitting member, having a deep slot at its fore portion, is positioned on a second vertical pin provided at the fore portion of the base. A first spring is provided under compression between the two vertical pins. A ball above the semicircular hole is held under compression and will never be displaced up to the flat portion of the circumferential projections unless unreasonable side force is applied to the toe, while the ball once coming to the fiat portion, will easily be displaced to disengage the toe. 1n the disengaging position the first spring contributes to turn back the toe-fitting member to the toe engaging position by its increased pressure.

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SAFETY SKI BOOT TOE FIXTURE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a ski boot toe fixture, attached to each ski together with a heel fixture. More particularly, the invention relates to a safety ski boot toe fixture wherein a toefitting member is not only advanced forwardly but also turned sideways relative to the ski to disengage the boot toe safety.

U. S. Pat. No. 3,42l,772, issued to the same applicant, discloses a ski boot toe fixture comprising basically a base, a turning disc, a toe-fitting member and means for pressing the turning disc to the base, wherein the toe fitting member is not only to be turned sideways but also advanced along the ski against the pressure of the pressing means to positively disengage the toe of a ski boot when a dangerously large side force is applied to the toe.

But, the toe-fitting member and the turning disc being turnably fixed to the base by a pin penetrating through holes in the toe-fitting member and in the turning disc and a hole in the arched slot of the base, the toe-fitting member and the turning disc are guided by the pin along the arched slot with a high resistance. In addition, as the circumferential projections of the turning disc become gradually high from a concavity thereof, when the slope is steep, the toe-fitting member may be turned to disengage the boot toe even if unreasonable force is applied and, on the other hand, when the slope is easy, the toe-fitting member may be turned to disengage the boot toe by a small force when it is not desirable to disengage it. Moreover, the toe-fitting member turned to the boot toe disengaging position may not easily be turned back to the toe engaging position, as only a ball on the circumferential projection under compression contributes to turn back the toe-fitting member to the toe engaging position.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved ski boot toe fixture wherein frictional resistance between a base and a turning disc is reduced to a minimum, a toe-fitting member is rapidly and positively displaced to the boot toe disengaging position only when the unreasonable severe side force is applied to the toe, and the toe-fitting member in the disengaging position is easily turned back to the toe engaging position by a little force.

-A ski boot toe fixture according to the present invention, comprises, similarly to said U. 5. Pat. No. 3,421,772, a base, a turning member, a toe-fitting member and means for pressing said turning member to the base under compression. The turning member, preferably of the disc type, has a hole at the fore portion thereof to be connected with the base, a vertical pin provided at the center portion thereof to be fitted in a vertical hole of the toe-fitting member, a semicircular hole formed at the end opposite to the hole to receive a ball pressed under compression, and a circumferential projection comprising steep slopes adjacent to both sides of the semicircular hole and flat portions in succession with each upper end of the steep slope. A vertical pin provided at the fore portion of the base is projected through a deep slot formed to the toe-fitting member along the lengthwise direction thereof. A first spring is provided between the above-mentioned two vertical pins.

The turning member being connected to the base by only a single pivot, the friction resistance is reduced to a minimum. Further, the turning member is so constructed that the ball cannot rise along the steep slope unless an unreasonably severe side force is applied to the toe and that the ball, once coming to the flat portion after climbing the steep slope, will be displaced along the remainder of the flat portion to disengage the boot toe. In the toe disengaging position, the first spring is compressed much more than that of the toe engaging position, which contributes to turn back the toe-fitting member to the toe engaging position.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed explanation when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same, showing, in a dot-dash line, mutual relations between a base, a turning disc and a toefitting member when the toe-fitting member is turned on in one direction; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the same prior to its assembly.

ln FIGS. 1 and 3, a generally flat-shaped base 10 is fixed to the upper-surface of a ski by means of screws (not shown) to be fitted in holes 13 and 13. A hole ll is formed at the center portion of the base and a vertical pin 12 is projected from the fore end portion thereof.

A disc 20 has a hole 22 at the fore portion thereof, a semicircular hole 24 at one end opposite to the hole 22, two circumferential projections 23 comprising steep slope portions 25 and 25, adjacent to the semicircular hole 24, and flat portions 26 and 26 in succession with the upper end of the steep portions, and a vertical pin 21 projecting from the center portion of the turning member. The turningdisc 20 is turnably connected to the base 10 by a pivot member 14 penetrating through holes 22 and 11 of the disc and the base respectively.

A toe-fitting member 30 has holes and 60 at both ends of the rear thereof, through which screws 61 and 6] pass through to secure each toe-receiving means 62 and 62. A vertical hole 50 is provided between the holes 60 and 60, through the hole 50 means for pressing the disc 20 being inserted, as described hereinafter in detail. The toefitting member in front of the three holes 50, 60 and 60 is opened at the upper and fore portion thereof, thereby fonning an opened portion.

As shown in FlGS. land 3, a vertical hole 31 is provided at the rear center portion in the opened portion. The vertical pin 21 at the center portion of the turning disc 20 is inserted through the vertical hole 31 and the top end projecting beyond the hole 31 is calked through the medium of a washer 27. In front of the vertical hole 3l a concave groove 32 and a deep slot 33 are formed in succession along the lengthwise direction of the toe-fitting member 30. The vertical pin 12 at the fore end portion of the base 10 is inserted through the deep slot 33 and the top end of the pin 12 is calked through the medium of a washer 15. A first spring 40 is provided under compression between the vertical pin 12 and the outer fore surface near the vertical hole 31. The fore end of the spring 40 is sustained to the vertical pin 12 by means of a spring-receiv ing member 41. The fore surface of the spring-receiving means is curved so that it may fit on the cylindrical surface of the vertical pin 12. In order to prevent vertical displacement of the spring 40, the rear bottom portion of the spring is sustained by the concave groove 32 and its top is covered by a plate 42 with screws 43 and 43. The fore bottom end of the toe-fitting member is provided with a lateral slot 34 and the rear vertical surface of the opened portion is provided with two holes 35 and 35 so that the fore end nail 37 and the rear end hooks 38 and 38 of a cover 36 may fit therein respectively. The cover 36 is preferably made of synthetic resin so that it may be fitted in the slot 34 and the holes 35 and 35 due to its resiliency.

The vertical hole 50 at the rear center of the toe-fitting member has inserted therein a ball 51, a second spring 52, a cylindrical guide member 53 and a threaded bolt 54, in turn. The ball is held above the semicircular hole 24 and pressed by means of the spring 52 and the threaded bolt 54 when the disc 20 is in the boot toe engaging position. The compression of the spring 52 is adjusted by the threaded bolt 54. The cylindrical guide member 53 (of a larger diameter than those of the spring 52 and the ball 51) has concave portions at both sides of its bottom end so that-the concave portions may be fitted to both steep slope portions 25 and 25 of the disc 20 in the toe engaging position and may guide the ball 51 on the circumferential projections 23 and 23 of the disc to the toe disengaging position.

Each of toe-receiving means 62 and 62 has a vertical hole penetrated through by a screw 61 and a horizontal hollow 63 which receives therein a pin 65 of synthetic resin compressed by a spring 64. The rear both sides of the toe-fitting member 30 below the two holes 60 and 60 are provided with flat surfaces 66 and 66 inclined forwardly and outwardly from the rear end surface of the toe-fitting member 30. When the toereceiving member 62 is screwed by the screw 61, it is held in the position as shown in H0. 2 by means of the pin pressing the slant surface 61 under compression of the spring 64, while tumable outwardly against the spring 64 by a little force, which force would not be enough to displace the toe-fitting member, The height of the toe-receiving members 62 is adjustable by rotating the screw 61.

The ski boot toe fixture according to the present invention is so constructed that when a dangerous and unreasonable side force is applied to the toe, the toe-fitting member 30, as well as the disc 20, begins to turn sideways as the ball 51 begins to rise from the semicircular hole 24 onto the circumferential projection 23 against the pressure of the second spring 52. At this time of turning, the toe-fitting member 30 is turned about the vertical pin 12 with a larger radius than that of the disc which is turned about the pivot 14, so that the toe-fitting member is advanced along the deep slot 33 as it is rotated. When the ball 51, guided by the cylindrical guide member 53, comes to the flat portion 26 of the circumferential projection 23, the toe-fitting member 30 is then easily displaced to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2 by a little force; thereby the ski boot toe is disengaged from the toe-fitting member.

At the toe disengaging position shown by dotted lines in HS. 2, the first spring 40, provided between the pins 12 and 21, is being compressed more than when in the toe engaging position so that it contributes to turn back the toe-fitting member 30, as well as the disc 20, to the toe engaging position. The toe fixture, according to this invention, therefore. can easily be turned back from the disengaging position to the toe engaging position with a little force.

While the only the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A safety ski boot toe fixture comprising, in combination, a base having a first vertical pin at the fore portion thereof and a pivot means provided substantially in the center portion thereof; a taming member having means provided at the fore portion thereof to pivot said tuming member on said pivot means of the base, a second vertical pin provided near or at the center of said turning member, and a concave formed at the rear end thereof; a toefitting member having longitudinally extending slot through which said first vertical pin is inserted and having a hole through which said second vertical pin is inserted, said toe-fitting member being advanced as it is turned about the first vertical pin; a first spring provided under compression and directed between said first and second vertical pins and means provided at the rear end portion ofthe toefitting member for pressing said concave of the turning member when the-boot toe is in the engaging position.

2. A safety ski boot toe fixture as claimed in claim I wherein said turning member is a disc having circumferential projections on both sides of the concave, each of said circum ferential projections comprising a steep slope portion adjacent to said concave and a fiat portion in succession with the upper end of the steep slope portion.

3. A safety ski boot toe fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said toe-fitting member is opened at the fore and upper portion thereof, said slot is a deep slot formed in the opened fore portion, and a spring receiving means having a curved fore surface is provided between the first spring and the first vertical pin.

4. A safety ski boot toe fixture as claimed in claim I wherein said toe-fitting member further comprises two holes provided at the rear of both its sides, two slant surfaces fom'led at the rear both ends thereof below the two holes, said slant surface being inclined forwardly and outwardly from the rear end surface of the toe fitting member, two toe-receiving means secured rotatably by screw means passing through said holes, and means for urging said toe-receiving means inwardly in contact with said slant surfaces.

5. A safety ski boot toe fixture as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for pressing said concave comprises a ball fitted in the concave, a cylindrical guide member to guide said ball the circumferential projections, a second spring passing through said cylindrical member and pressing said ball, and means for adjusting the pressure of the spring.

6. A safety ski boot toc fixture as claimed in claim 3 wherein said toe-fitting member further comprises a cover member covering over the opened portion, said cover member being engaged with a lateral slot formed at the fore bottom portion of the toe-fitting member and secured at the rear vertical surface of the opened portion. 

1. A safety ski boot toe fixture comprising, in combination, a base having a first vertical pin at the fore portion thereof and a pivot means provided substantially in the center portion thereof; a turning member having means provided at the fore portion thereof to pivot said turning member on said pivot means of the base, a second vertical pin provided near or at the center of said turning member, and a concave formed at the rear end thereof; a toe-fitting member having longitudinally extending slot through which said first vertical pin is inserted and having a hole through which said second vertical pin is inserted, said toe-fitting member being advanced as it is turned about the first vertical pin; a first spring provided under compression and directed between said first and second vertical pins and means provided at the rear end portion of the toe-fitting member for pressing said concave of the turning member when the boot toe is in the engaging position.
 2. A safety ski boot toe fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said turning member is a disc having circumferential projections on both sides of the concave, each of said circumferential projections comprising a steep slope portion adjacent to said concave and a flat portion in succession with the upper end of the steep slope portion.
 3. A safety ski boot toe fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said toe-fitting member is opened at the fore and upper portion thereof, said slot is a deep slot formed in the opened fore portion, and a spring receiving means having a curved fore surface is provided between the first spring and the first vertical pin.
 4. A safety ski boot toe fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said toe-fitting member further comprises two holes provided at the rear of both its sides, two slant surfaces formed at the rear both ends thereof below the two holes, said slant surface being inclined forwardly and outwardly from the rear end surface of the toe fitting member, two toe-receiving means secured rotatably by screw means passing through said holes, and means for urging said toe-receiving means inwardly in contact with said slant surfaces.
 5. A safety ski boot toe fixture as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for pressing said concave comprises a ball fitted in the concave, a cylindrical guide member to guide said ball the circumferential projections, a second spring passing through said cylindrical member and pressing said ball, and means for adjusting the pressure of the spring.
 6. A safety ski boot toe fixture as claimed in claim 3 wherein said toe-fitting member further comprises a cover member covering over the opened portion, said cover member being engaged with a lateral slot formed at the fore bottom portion of the toe-fitting member and secured at the rear vertical surface of the opened portion. 